I lean back in my seat in Theory Class, the lecture hall bustling with the low hum of note-taking and occasional whispers. Professor Velen Dorros paces the podium as he dives into the synergy between elements and gifts. "Being a fire mage is power in its own right," he says, his voice echoing off the walls, "but if you have a gift that amplifies your fire abilities say, an affinity for flame evolution, the output multiplies exponentially. Now, if we talk about energies such as aura or force..."
I nod along, pretending to jot notes on my digital slate, but my mind drifts. I wonder if I can manipulate any of the 5 core energies. Force seems the most interesting, bending physics to hurl objects or crush attacks but I'm curious about arcane energy too. My talent, Absolute Assimilation, says I can copy basically anything, right? Spells, techniques, arts. But affinities and energies? They're not something you just steal; you have to understand and learn them deeply. Both require innate synergy and talent, and what if my bloodline or gift clashes?
Dorros' words fade into background noise as calculations whirl in my head. Odin's earlier simulations flashed probabilities how force manipulation could shatter defenses or arcane knowledge could unlock sealed spells. If I could assimilate an energy type, it might bridge the gap to that dungeon before the reset.
"Are we interrupting your personal time, Mr. Ardentis?"
The professor's voice slams through my thoughts, sharp and dripping with sarcasm. Heads turn, eyes locking on me like spotlights. My face heats up beneath the messy white hair—Shit, how long was I spaced out?—but I plaster on that cool, unbothered mask I've perfected and crossing my arms.
"No sir," I say, voice flat and indifferent, "You're not."
Dorros' brow knits into a deep frown, his gaze narrowing behind thin glasses. The class snickers softly, but he silences them with a glare before fixing back on me. "Then perhaps you can enlighten us, since you're clearly ahead of the material. What energy, besides mana, holds the highest risk-to-reward ratio when synergized with a fire-based gift, and why?"
Silence stretches. My mind blanks for a second—Fuck, what did he say about synergies?—and from his pinched expression, I must look totally stumped, eyes widening before I catch myself. But then Odin's archive sparks in my interface, filtering through the lecture notes I'd half-absorbed. Force energy.
I straighten, meeting his gaze with a smirk tugging at my lips. "Force energy, professor. It manipulates motion, gravity, and impact, so pairing it with fire amplifies control like directing flames with enhanced velocity or pressure bursts for explosive synergies. Risk is high due to the physical strain, but the payoff lets you crush fortified barriers while melting 'em from the inside."
The class murmurs in surprise, and Dorros blinks, his frown easing into something resembling approval. "Not incorrect," he grumbles, nodding. "
Dorros's lips quirk into a genuine smirk, a rare sight in this stuffy lecture hall. "Impressive, Mr. Ardentis. It seems you were paying attention after all." A ripple of excitement flows through the room. "However," he adds, raising a hand to silence the rising chatter, "one more question"
He surveys the class, his gaze lingering on each face before finally settling on the room at large. "What is the fundamental energy of mana?"
A confused murmur spreads through the classroom. Students exchange bewildered glances. Mana is the fundamental energy, isn't it? The source of everything? I feel a similar mental block, it's like asking what the foundation of a building is when you're standing in the building.
A hand shoots up from the front row. Nyra Verdant, the prodigy mage. Her violet eyes sparkle with intelligence, and she always seems to grasp concepts others struggle with. Dorros nods, granting her permission to speak.
"Forgive me, Professor," she says, her voice clear and precise, "but isn't mana the fundamental energy source of all the energies? "
Dorros's smile widens, stretching across his face. It's unsettling, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Ah, an excellent point, Miss Verdant. It is true. Mana is the foundation upon which all other energies are built. However…" He pauses again, drawing out the suspense. "There's a theory. A long-forgotten hypothesis dismissed by most as archaic speculation that says mana isn't actually the fundamental energy at all."
I feel Nyra stiffen beside me. Her eyes flick down to her notes, her brow furrowed in concentration. A theory? So, it's not even proven. Just an idea someone had centuries ago?. If a theory like that existed, my master would of told me.
everyone is quite, unsure where the professor was going with the question.
"Origin energy."
All heads whip around. Eyes, astonished and curious, converge on me. I can feel the weight of their stares, burning into the back of my neck. Where did that even come from? It wasn't a thought I actively formed, more like a reflex, a whisper from the Archive pulled to the surface.
"Mr. Ardentis?" Dorros says, his voice laced with surprise. "Can you repeat that?"
"Origin energy," I repeat, louder this time, forcing a confident tone despite the sudden heat rising in my cheeks. A few gasps ripple through the class. Even Nyra looks surprised, her violet eyes widening. Where did that come from?
"The theory suggests mana isn't the source, but a refinement," I explain, the words flowing faster now, pulled from the Archive without conscious effort. "Origin energy is… primordial. The fundamental building block of existence. It's said to be chaotic and volatile far more potent than even Aether. Mana is what happens when origin energy is shaped and filtered through our core. Like raw ore becoming steel."
"Think of it like this: mana is the finished product, the application. Origin energy is the raw potential, the infinite source. The theory argues that all gifts, all affinities, ultimately stem from an individual's capacity to tap into and manipulate origin energy ."
I pause, realizing I'm rambling a bit. "But that's just a theory, of course," I finish lamely, forcing a shrug.
Dorros stares at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. It feels like an eternity passes before he finally breaks the silence with a low whistle. "Remarkable, Mr. Ardentis. How do you know that?"
"I read it in a book some where" I say sheepishly
The bell rings, a shrill chime that cuts through the lingering buzz of conversation. Students scramble to their feet, a wave of chatter washing over me as they disperse – clumps of friends debating Dorros's question, others muttering about the archaic theory of origin energy. I push my chair back, intending to blend into the crowd and disappear before anyone can ask too many questions about how I knew about that forgotten theory.
But as I turn, I feel a weight on my back, a prickling sensation that someone's watching. I slowly rotate, and my gaze locks with hers.
Nyra Verdant.
She's standing a few feet away, her violet eyes fixed on me with an intensity that makes my throat clench. It's not hostile, not exactly, more like she's dissecting me. Her expression is unreadable, a carefully constructed mask of curiosity and something else I can't quite place.
My brain short-circuits, and before I can stop myself, a stupid, lopsided grin spreads across my face.
Her eyes narrow slightly, and for a fleeting moment, I think I see a flicker of annoyance. It's enough to snap me out of it. I force the smile to fade, attempting a nonchalant shrug that probably looks more like a spasm, and quickly turn away, picking up my pace.
Each step feels clumsy, exaggerated. I practically power-walk out of the lecture hall, ignoring the curious glances of students I pass. Outside, the cool air does little to calm the frantic thumping of my heart.
Seriously, what was that? I mutter under my breath, weaving through the groups of students populating the academy's corridors. Is everyone in this class just… weird?
* * *
Nyra stared at the polished wood where that boy had disappeared. Cael Ardentis, she repeated silently. An unremarkable commoner, sponsored by the Heroic Corps. The sheer confidence with which he'd spoken, it felt like inspired guesswork but the way he talked made seemed like it was true.
"Hey, Nyra, you okay? You've been spacing out for a bit there." Aria's voice cut through her thoughts, laced with a familiar, playful edge.
Nyra offered a tight smile. "Yeah, yeah, it's nothing. I'm fine."
Nyra glanced at the door once more, a flicker of unease crossing her features. No, I'm just overthinking it. must of been just a fluke besides it's just a theory anyways
She turned back to Aria and Selene, forcing a casual tone. "Do you guys want to head to the library? I was hoping to cross-reference some of Dorros's notes on arcane resonance."
Aria's orange-brown hair swished as she nodded. "Sounds good. Anything to escape the stifling boredom. Plus, I heard they finally stocked up on my favourite novel."
Selene, quiet as always
"I'll meet you both at the library," she said, her voice crisp and even. "Just need to grab a nutrient bar from the cafeteria. Haven't had a proper meal since the training exercises started." A swift nod confirmed her decision, and Selene turned, walking towards the cafeteria.
****
To be continued….